Inmate left blind in one eye after brutal attack in HMP Northumberland involving Sunderland criminal

Anthony Rogers suffered stab wounds and multiple fractured facial bones in the violence at HMP Northumberland on November 24 2018.

Newcastle Crown Court heard fellow prisoner Heltz Ames attacked Rogers, who was also armed, with an ice-pick type weapon and caused wounds to his back and behind his ear before he managed to break free and run.

But the court heard he was chased and attacked by another man, who has since died, before Jamie Lee joined in the violence and then Luthor Awkonum stamped on his face before prison officers intervened.

Ames, 34, of no fixed address, admitted unlawful wounding.

Lee, 30, of North View, Whickham, Gateshead, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Awkonum, 30, of Jane Street, Hetton, admitted affray.

Judge Julie Clemitson sentenced Ames and Lee each to two years behind bars and Awkonum to 18 months.

The judge said Ames had withdrawn from the attack after his initial part in it but added: "As often the case, incidents of violence in prison leads to an escalation and further violence and other people becoming involved in the disorder."

Judge Clemitson said prison violence creates a risk of "large scale disorder and serious violence and added: "Mr Rogers with left with life changing injuries.

"Apart from puncture wounds, he sustained a fracture behind his left ear, a fracture to his left cheek, left eye orbit and jaw.

"They all had to be held together by metal bracing in his face and he has lost sight, permanently, in one eye."

Paul Cross, defending, said Ames was being "bullied" by Rogers and is not a particularly violent man generally.

Gavin Doig, defending Lee, said the attack was "out of character" for him and he is determined to "try and make a life" after his release.

Nicholas Lane, defending Awkonum, said: "He played a limited part."

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